The International Plant Sentinel Network
The International Plant Sentinel Network (IPSN) is a global network of botanic gardens, arboreta, plant health institutes and NPPOs working together to provide an early warning system for new and emerging pests. Launched in 2013 the IPSN is a 3 year Euphresco project coordinated by Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), alongside a full list of European partners which can be found on the IPSN website. IPSN member gardens will monitor the non-native species, the ‘sentinels’, in their collection for damage by pests and diseases and report back to the plant’s country of origin. The IPSN has already produced a standard form for botanic gardens and arboreta (the IPSN Plant Health Checker) to record general health problems observed in sentinel (exotic) plants. General guidance is also provided on how to observe plant pests and diseases, and on how to prepare samples for diagnostic purposes. Posters on emerging pest and disease threats to trees in the UK have been prepared for oak (Agrilus auroguttatus, Ceratocystis fagacearum, Enaphalodes rufulus), ash (Agrilus planipennis, Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, Xylosandrus germanus), and pine (Thaumetopoea pityocampa, Dothistroma septosporum, Monochamus galloprovincialis).
The IPSN:
- seeks and shares examples of best practice;
- provides standardised methodologies for monitoring and surveying of damaging plant pests and pathogens;
- provides training materials to increase capability among member gardens;
- facilitates access to diagnostic support;
- is developing databases in order to share and store information; and
- will communicate scientific evidence with NPPOs.
The IPSN is now looking for additional European organisations, interested in working in sentinel research, to contribute to a new Euphresco project aimed at developing the network further.
For more information:
IPSN Coordinator: Miss Ellie Barham - ellie.barham@bgci.org
Website: www.plantsentinel.org
Twitter: @IPSN_BGCI
Sources
EPPO Secretariat (2015-07).